CHAPTER FOUR

"MAMAN?"

Wednesday evening had come. Dominic would be arriving shortly to show her around the vineyard. It was a beautiful evening and she was going crazy waiting for him so had called her mother to check in.

"Yes. What is it, darling?"

Nathalie had left work to eat dinner and was freshening up in the mobile home. She'd brushed her hair, leaving it loose, and wore a fresh pair of jeans and a yellow pullover. "I'll be home a little later than usual and don't want you to worry."

"That's all I've done since our talk. I don't think it's wise to keep this up. Either walk away now, or tell Dominic Fontesquieu why you're there."

"I will. I just need a little more information and to think everything through. If worse comes to worst and he demands an explanation, I'll tell him the truth. Depending on the outcome, I'll bring him to the house so he can see Alain for himself."

Her mother's sigh was telling. "You could be wrong and it could cause trouble."

"It won't come to that, Maman. When I get home, we'll talk."

After they hung up, her mother's concern ate away at her. Was Nathalie wrong about Dominic having been Antoinette's lover? Of course, the only way to find out was to ask him and hope he'd be honest with her.

But to approach him about such a sensitive matter was daunting. "Did you have a brief affair with a woman you met at the Guinguet during the harvest two and half years ago? If so, then I believe you could be the father of my deceased stepsister's son."

Deep in thought, she was startled by noise outside. He was here. A burst of adrenaline shot through her. She reached for her purse and hurried out the door. Dominic had parked his car behind hers and Nathalie climbed in the passenger side before he could get out.

"Hi," she said, knowing that once again she was out of breath. It happened every time she saw him. He smelled so good and had dressed in a blue sport shirt and khaki trousers. There could be no other man like him in existence.

His black eyes ranged over her, taking in every inch. "You look too beautiful for a woman who's been picking grapes all day."

"That isn't true, but I like hearing it."

"If you'd glance in a mirror, it would remove all doubt."

His words brought heat flooding to her cheeks. "Where are we going to go?"

"I thought we'd take a walk in one of the terroirs at the upper elevation. It overlooks the land down to the sea for a spectacular view."

The male sight before her eyes was so spectacular, she was at a loss for words.

He backed around and drove down the road past the place where she picked grapes. When they came to a crossroads, he turned right and followed another road. It paralleled more rows of healthy vines for a long time, then rose until he pulled over to the side and parked.

"The grapes have all been picked here," she observed.

"That's right. They've turned a few days sooner because of the elevation. The terroir you're working on is one of the last that has to be denuded."

She shook her head. "There's so much to learn. Tonight the vines seem to be lined up like soldiers to the horizon. It's an amazing sight. If I were an artist, I'd like to paint the vineyard the way it looks right now. I love it."

"I love your descriptions of everything." The tone in his deep voice filled her with warmth. "This is my favorite spot in the whole vineyard."

After getting out of the car, she let out a soft cry. "I can see why, Dominic. This landscape is like a little part of heaven."

He grasped her hand as if claiming her. They started walking between two rows of vines. A gentle breeze bathed their bodies. "You know what Louis Pasteur once said. A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world."

"Fontesquieu wine," she corrected him. He squeezed her hand a little harder. "I feel horribly guilty that I don't like the taste of wine."

"But you like the grapes." He gave her a meaningful look. "All is forgiven because you appreciate the vineyard housing the limestone and shale soil that feeds the roots."

A gentle laugh escaped. "Thank you for trying to make me feel better."

"You mean I didn't succeed?" he teased.

"You know you did." He had a captivating way about him.

They kept walking beneath a sky full of stars. As their bodies brushed against each other, she'd never known such rapture in her life. At the end of the row, he moved behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.

"Did you know your hair is the color of starlight?"

She could feel his breath on her temple. "Dominic—" His name came out sounding ragged.

A kiss against her neck opened the portals, releasing her longing for him. She turned in his arms and began to kiss his jaw, relishing the feel of his hard, male body. Their mouths slowly came together, seeking and finding what she'd wanted from the moment she'd sat across from him. This was ecstasy. Never in her life had she known this kind of passion.

When he finally relinquished her mouth with reluctance, he said, "Don't you know how dangerous it was to come out here with me tonight?"

His question penetrated deep inside to that spot reminding her they wouldn't be together like this if she weren't trying to find out if he'd been Antoinette's lover. For a little while tonight she'd forgotten.

Shocked by how carried away she'd been, she looked up at him. "Thank you for reminding me. Maybe we'd better go back." Nathalie eased out of his arms and started walking fast, reaching the car first.

He didn't try to catch up with her. While she was a trembling mass of need, Dominic seemed in perfect control driving them down to the mobile home park. He stopped behind her car and turned to her.

"I won't be able to see you tomorrow, but I'd like to see you after work Friday evening if you're free. We'll go to dinner."

Friday evening... That would have to be the night she asked him about Antoinette. "I'll make sure I am." She got out of the car. "I won't ever forget tonight's experience."

With her heart palpitating out of her chest, she rushed inside. The kiss they'd shared had turned her world upside down. To love a man like him, and have to tell him she couldn't have his baby...

After work on Thursday, Nathalie drove to the pizzeria in town and met Paul outside the entrance. They made their way inside and had to wait before being shown a table with menus propped on the red-and-white-checked cloth. She could tell it was a popular place, especially at dinnertime.

After studying the menu, Paul flicked Nathalie a glance. "How do you like your pizza?"

"A little bit of everything except for anchovies."

"Sounds good to me. Anything else?"

"Coffee."

A waitress came over for their order and hurried off.

Nathalie eyed Paul. "Wouldn't it be nice if the Fontesquieu family hired a food catering service that pulled into the vineyard every noon and evening? Think how happy it would make all the workers!"

He smiled. "That's a thought I'll pass on to Gregoire." But not to Dominic or Etienne, either of whom could make it happen.

"I saw clouds gathering this afternoon."

"It'll rain tomorrow."

"I can feel the extra humidity. It ought to make grape picking more interesting."

He grinned. "You mean messy, dirty and wet."

"I guess I'm going to find out."

"Want to go to a film after we eat?"

She shook her head. "I have to get back to the pharmacy where I work and do inventory. That's why I brought my car."

"You're a pharmacist?" Surprise was written all over him.

"By profession."

"But I thought you were on vacation." He looked stunned. "You have to go tonight?"

She nodded. "They need help so I promised to come in."

"Even when you've got a full day's work tomorrow?"

"I can't turn down a promise."

"You're one amazing woman."

Thankfully their food arrived at that moment.

"This pizza is good."

"It's all right," he muttered. "I'd rather we went out for a real dinner."

"Honestly, I'm too exhausted working seven days a week to do anything but fall asleep watching TV. MonsieurFontesquieu warned me to take it easy so I don't burn out and collapse. Actually, he saw me walking and gave me a lift home the other day. It was very kind of him. If he has a wife who knows about it, I hope she'll understand he was only helping a lowly, exhausted grape picker make her way along the road."

Paul shook his head. "He's never been married."

The unexpected news filled her with joy for several reasons. "I see."

"Not yet, at least. According to Gregoire, who's on close terms with Etienne, Dominic Fontesquieu is on the verge of getting married to a woman with the kind of money most people only dream about."

After hearing he wasn't married, the revelation of impending marriage to a wealthy woman came as a shock. If that was true, how could he have kissed Nathalie like he did last night? Or made plans to be with her tomorrow evening?

Distressed, she wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin. "Paul, I'm afraid I have to leave." Nathalie pulled some euros out of her purse and put them on the table before standing up. "Stay and finish the pizza."

"Don't forget to wear extra rain gear in the morning."

"I will. See you in the morning. Merci for the friendly chat."

Nathalie was tormented as she sped home. After the kiss they'd shared, she didn't know what to think about Dominic. At least he didn't have a wife or children to consider if he were to learn he'd fathered Antoinette's baby. But if he were getting married soon, he shouldn't have been with Nathalie. Following that thought, the news that he had a son could turn his world upside down.

What was she doing? This couldn't go on any longer.

On Thursday, Dominic had been summoned to the salon of his parents' apartment at the chateau. He knew why.

His father, clearly recovered from his pneumonia, sat on one of the damask couches with his mother, whose stylish black hair showed a few streaks of silver. Dominic's older sister, Quinette, and her husband, Philippe, both serving on the board, had settled on the love seat. Etienne wasn't there because he hadn't shaken his flu completely.

He kissed his parents and sister and nodded to his brother-in-law, but he didn't sit down. "I came as soon as I could. It's obvious you've heard news before I could tell you myself."

"Corinne's mother called me this afternoon to tell me you won't be seeing her anymore."

"That's right, Maman. We've been thrown together at various family parties you arranged, but I never was seeing her."

"I simply don't believe it." Her voice shook. "She sounded hysterical. We've all been planning on your marriage."

"I can't help that. I'm not in love with Corinne, and she doesn't want to be married to a man who can't give her the kind of love she needs."

She turned to his father. "Talk to him, Gaston."

"I tried talking to him when he left home at eighteen. My foolish son has cavorted with Parisian women with no class for too long. His judgment disgusts me."

His chilling pronouncement couldn't disturb Dominic. His father was lamenting all the money Corinne would have brought to the marriage. "I'm aware of that, Papa,but I have to please myself."

His mother's dark eyes filled with tears. "What's wrong with you, Dominic?"

"Maman," his sister remarked. Having been stuck in a bad marriage, she'd begun to see the light and had taken his side.

He smiled at Quinette before he said, "If I ever find the right woman, you'll be the first to know, ma mere. In the meantime, if you'll excuse me, I have plans. Bonne nuit."

Now that his parents had let him know they were devastated, he left to meet Raoul at Chez Gaspard, a café on the outskirts of Vence where they could enjoy privacy.

They met there when they needed to talk away from the estate. Tonight there were two households in chaos at the chateau.

Raoul was already waiting for him when he entered and walked to the back table in the corner. The waiter brought coffee Raoul had already ordered for them. Once he'd left, Dominic handed Raoul the financial report.

"Thanks for this." He lifted his dark head and sat forward. "I promised you some new information. As you know, I'd been dating Sabine and made the mistake of sleeping with her once, a mistake I regretted because as time went on I knew my feelings for a permanent relationship with her weren't there. I had to tell her the truth even though it hurt her and I broke it off with her.

"Right after that I happened to meet Toinette Gilbert and found myself in love for the first time in my life. She'd become my heart's desire. We saw each other for a month and I wanted to marry her.

"But out of the blue I got a phone call from Sabine. She told me she was expecting our baby and we had to get married immediately. Her doctor verified it with me.

"I was horrified. Of course, I had to tell Toinette the truth, the most painful thing I'd ever had to do in my life. She said goodbye to me and refused all my phone calls. I never saw her after that. My world had crashed around me."

Dominic could attest to that fact. "You did the honorable thing, Raoul. When I heard you two were expecting, I knew that was the only reason you would have married her, especially after telling me you were in love with Toinette. But what is it I still don't know?"

"I'm getting to that. Only the birth of little Celine helped me to go on. I loved our daughter and was devastated after she died. While I was at the hospital, I talked to the doctor and asked if her heart was the reason why she'd been born a month early. The doctor told me no. Celine had been a full-term baby."

A gasp came out of Dominic. "So the baby wasn't yours."

Raoul stared straight at him. "No. If I hadn't asked the doctor that question, Sabine would have kept that a secret for the rest of our lives. After coming home from Saint Tropez the other night, I decided it was time to tell her I was divorcing her, and I confronted her about the baby that wasn't mine."

"How did that go?"

"She admitted it. Her explanation was that she'd always wanted me, but turned to another man because I'd never proposed."

"Incroyable. Did the other man ever know?"

"No," he said in a solemn voice.

"So you've been living with the pain of that lie ever since the funeral."

His cousin nodded. "Because you were in Paris, I didn't want to burden you. Instead I got some professional advice and was warned to put off a divorce until Sabine had recovered enough from Celine's death to deal with it."

A groan came out of Dominic. "How bad are things at this point?"

"Bad. I've been served papers from Sabine's attorney and have been talking with our attorney, Horace Millet."

"He's the best. What is she demanding?"

"Fifty million dollars in damages for lack of affection since she knew from the start I hadn't been in love with her. That was her excuse for being with another man while she waited for a proposal from me. She claimed she'd wanted marriage to me all her adult life." He sat back in the chair. "Well, she got it."

Dominic looked across at him. "You could countersue because of her lie."

"I could, but we've both been suffering over Celine's death. There's been too much grief as it is. I just want this period of my life over. Horace has drawn up papers declaring a legal separation. Since her attorney has indicated that Sabine is refusing to move out of the chateau until the divorce is final, I'm moving out. I've liquidated a few assets to keep functioning before Papafreezes my accounts. Both sets of parents are refusing to accept the divorce and are fighting it."

"Of course they are." And Raoul was too full of integrity to expose Sabine's lie to the family.

"For now I'm planning to live at the Aurora Hotel in Vence until this is over. I'm checking in there after I leave you."

"No, you're not. You're staying with me. I have two extra bedrooms. Both families are trying to take everything away from you. That means I'm not letting you spend money on a hotel. You need to be close to the office."

"I can't do that to you."

"Raoul, if I were in your shoes, I know you'd tell me to move in with you, so let's not waste any more time talking about it. Come on. Follow me back to the chateau and let's get you moved in. While we do that, I'll fill you in on what's happening with me. It'll be fun. I've got more space in the apartment than I know what to do with."

"Dom—"

"We share a special bond, right?"

"Oui,"his voice grated.

Dominic put some Euros on the table and they left for the chateau. Under the circumstances, he couldn't be happier to have his best friend close.

Within the hour, they'd set Raoul up in one of the bedrooms. His cousin eyed him as they both went to the kitchen for more coffee. "The family will have a collective heart attack when they find out the two bad boys have joined forces, but I could not care less. Have you ended it with Corinne yet?"

"I took care of that last night. When you texted me a little while ago, I was on my way to the parents to be castigated."

"How did that go?"

"According to Maman, Corinne's mother is in hysterics. I know I hurt Corinne for expectations never met, but there were no outward histrionics."

His cousin's dark brow lifted. "Let's change the subject. What's going on with MademoiselleFournier?"

"I haven't fired her yet if that tells you anything." Dominic was still shaken by the taste and feel of Nathalie, who'd welcomed his kiss last night with the same urgency he'd been feeling from the beginning.

"Do you still suspect her of something?"

"I don't know," he ground out. "Maybe I'm wrong and she's exactly who she says she is. After hearing about Sabine's lie of omission, I pray to God Nathalie has told me her whole truth by now."

His cousin eyed him with concern. "You sound like a man in love."

Dominic's head reared. "It may have finally happened, Raoul." But he would be in pain until he knew all of her and her heart.

"Does she feel the same way?"

"She hasn't said the words yet, but I know it in my gut." The way she'd kissed him had been proof of that.

Rain fell on Friday. Nathalie's work was wet and messy. She needed to shower and wash her hair after finishing work, as Dominic would be coming by to take her out for the evening.

Learning that he planned to be married soon had shaken her. If he were Alain's father and wanted a relationship with his boy, then how would Nathalie handle it? She was Alain's aunt and they would be sharing him. How was she going to shut off her feelings?

This evening she put on a pale blue short-sleeved blouse and a white skirt with a small blue print. She hadn't worn anything dressy around him. Her hair had natural curl. She brushed it until it swished against her shoulders from a side part, then she put on her leather sandals. Nathalie wore no makeup other than lipstick.

When he knocked on the door, she opened it and sucked in her breath. He stood there wearing a silky black shirt and gray trousers. No man had ever looked so devastatingly gorgeous to her. "Dominic—"

Tonight was her chance to ask him questions about Antoinette. She'd started down this path for Alain's sake and needed to see it through. "Thanks for being on time. I'm hungry again."

He chuckled and backed around. "And here I thought I'd have to wait. You're a constant surprise."

"So are you."

Dominic darted her an amused glance with those gleaming black eyes before they got in the car and headed for Vence. He drove through the town and up into the hills. They wound around to a restaurant with date palms and cypress trees overlooking the breathtaking landscape.

He escorted her inside and they were shown to a table out on the veranda with a sweeping view. The waiter handed them menus.

"Everything's good here."

Nathalie looked over the options. "What's your favorite?"

"Suprême de veau r?ti, crème proven?ale."

"That sounds delicious." She loved veal. "I'll try it."

The waiter came back with coffee and a wine list.

Dominic's gaze held hers as he told the waiter, "We'll pass on the wine." After giving him their order, the waiter walked off.

"I would imagine wine from the Fontesquieu vineyards makes up a good portion of every restaurant's list in Provence and elsewhere."

"My cousin Raoul could tell you all about it. He's in charge of marketing and sales."

"That has to be an enormous responsibility."

"But nothing like the responsibility you have as a pharmacist. When you make a mistake, it could be life threatening."

She nodded. "That's true."

"What made you choose that for your career?"

Now would be the perfect time to tell him about the family Alain had been born into.

"My parents were both pharmacists. That's how they met and got married. I was born soon after their marriage, then my papa died. I never knew him, only my stepfather, also a druggist who was a widower with a daughter. He married my mother. I grew up wanting to be a pharmacist too. After I graduated, they took me on at the pharmacy they owned."

"Sounds like my family."

"In a way." Their eyes held. "My stepfather ran everything until he died several years ago."

"I'm sorry."

"So am I," she whispered. "Since then my mother has hired another pharmacist to help us."

"Do you live with your mother?"

"Yes." And one precious boy.

Their dinner came, interrupting their conversation. She started eating. "This veal is superb. I'm glad you suggested it."

"It never disappoints. Tell me, are you an only child?"

Her heart thudded. Stick to the truth as much as you dare. "No. I just had my stepsister, but she died sixteen months ago of an infection."

"Your family has known a lot of grief," he commiserated. "My parents lost a daughter right after she was born."

"They must have suffered."

"So have you after breaking up with the man you thought to marry."

She sipped her coffee. Since meeting Dominic, she hadn't given Guy a thought. "That has turned out to be a good thing. I can't imagine anything worse than getting married, only to discover you made a mistake. To settle when you already have questions about that person makes no sense to me."

"I couldn't agree more," he said with almost savage conviction. It sent a shiver down her spine.

Taking her courage in her hands, Nathalie said, "Rumor has it you will be getting married soon." She had to find out.

"Paul needs to be careful what he passes on, though it's not his fault what he hears. Marriage was never on my agenda. Otherwise I wouldn't have asked you to come to dinner with me this evening."

Heaven forgive her, but that news meant more to her than he would ever know. If she dared tell him about Alain, and he agreed to take a DNA test to prove paternity, he could be with his son without the complications of a new wife. But only if that was what Dominic wanted more than anything in his life. Alain deserved a father who would cherish him.

Knowing he wasn't getting married prompted her next question. "Why did you invite me out this evening, Dominic?"

His eyes narrowed on her mouth, making her whole body go limp. "You can ask me that after our walk in the vineyard?" She averted her eyes. "Because I wanted to." Somehow she felt he'd spoken the truth just now. "Why did you accept, Nathalie?"

Her heart thundered in her chest. "If I tell you the real reason, will you believe me?" They were both circling each other.

"I deserved that."

She was able to tell him one honest truth, though she was riddled with guilt. "Because I wanted to be with you too."

Dominic's chest rose and fell visibly, communicating an emotion that appeared to match hers. There was a growing sensual tension between them that couldn't be denied, haunting her more and more.

The waiter came over to suggest dessert. She declined. So did Dominic, who asked for the check. When it was paid, they left and went out to his car.

Nathalie looked up at the sky. "It's still overcast, but I don't think it will rain again tomorrow."

"It won't," he assured her and helped her into the car before walking around.

Once he was behind the wheel, she sent him a covert glance. "If you ever decide to give up being a vintner, you'll make a better weatherman than any meteorologist."

"I wouldn't want the job. They make too many mistakes. Technically I'm no longer a vintner. Not since I left for Paris eleven years ago and went into investment banking."

Eleven years? She blinked. When had there been time for him to meet Antoinette? Had she been wrong about him this whole time? "So you weren't born with grape juice running in your veins?" she teased.

He chuckled. "Maybe, but I was much more interested in what made the world go round. Big business intrigued me."

Nathalie knew there was much more he hadn't told her, but this was a beginning. Before the night was out she might even learn enough to broach the subject of Alain.